Digital Forensics Analyst

Position description

The National Counterterrorism Center’s Directorate of Intelligence (NCTC/DI) is looking for a motivated Digital Forensics Analyst seeking a challenging and rewarding assignment with a high-performing functional team. This unit is NCTC’s authority on digital exploitation, applying forensically sound digital exploitation techniques to support comprehensive technical analysis of various digital device data, incorporating targeting analysis and other INTs to drive actionable, operational reporting to support US Intelligence Community (IC) and US Federal Law Enforcement (FLE) partners. Digital Forensic Analysts on the team use exploitation tradecraft, digital forensics acumen, and interpersonal skills to position the DI to leverage DOMEX data it has to analyze threats, warn of new threats, and deliver value-added, timely data analytic services and reports to a broad range of customers and partners. The unit is seeking an analyst able to operate at the full performance level and willing to commit to a dynamic, fulfilling set of important responsibilities that will require a proactive mindset, willingness to learn, and close partnership with other teams.

Lead technical, forensic examinations of raw media/devices to disseminate unique technical analysis and drive US government counterterrorism missions.

Leverage advanced knowledge of digital forensics to drive complex DOMEX technical intelligence discoveries, create timely and relevant DOMEX driven products, assist with developing programmatic documentation for the DOMEX cell, and interact with relevant DOMEX units at IC, Dept. of War, and FLE agencies.

Work across the DI to innovate, apply, and integrate quantitative analyses into analytic production.

Help develop and sustain partnerships with both internal and external customers and stakeholders, providing tailored analytic support, as needed.

Facilitate access to Community exploitation resources and interact with DOMEX owners, producers, and consumers to improve discovery and use of DOMEX information.

Utilize a variety of methodological tools and approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex and significant analytic issues and incorporate insights and findings into well-crafted, sophisticated intelligence products.

Explore emerging technologies and other means to help automate discovery and access to relevant information in disparate DOMEX datasets.

Actively participate in initiatives that advance the Center’s DOMEX goals and help pioneer exploitation activities to provide relevant analytic and technical reporting of DOMEX.

Prepare and present written and oral briefings to senior internal and external customers on significant intelligence issues.

Develop and implement strategies for gathering intelligence, or historical information in support of US interests and policy objectives; cultivate and identify key internal and external sources of relevant information that meet customer and self-derived needs.

Maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, experts, IC members, policy committees, and law enforcement agencies as appropriate and use these relationships to share information of interest; attend internal and external training, seminars, or conferences on broad or more strategic subject areas.

Effectively communicate complex and technical concepts to non-technical colleagues.

Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
• Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.

Qualifications

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
• How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Required Qualifications:

Ability to effectively plan, research, develop, and write high-quality, complex analyses, studies, projects, assignments, and briefings on key US foreign policy and national security objectives focused on a specific region or transnational issue for IC consumers and policymakers at the highest levels of government.

Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, analyze, and assess initiatives and report trends impacting mission objectives.

Ability to apply expert knowledge of ODNI, IC organizations, and relevant customer organizations or operations (e.g., military, policymakers, and law enforcement), in order to effectively translate their requirements and provide appropriate output or responses to meet customer needs.

Ability to work collaboratively with junior officers and other stakeholders to provide technical guidance and support, while effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical colleagues.

Thorough knowledge of IC policy and procedures and demonstrated knowledge of analytic tradecraft and ability to communicate intelligence information and judgments to generalists as well as specialists.

Knowledge of USG digital media collection and exploitation, with an understanding of Community accepted exploitation tools.

Demonstrated success independently and in multidisciplinary technical analysis teams; ability to participate in a varied and welcoming environment and to clearly, effectively execute mission objectives.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to build consensus, work effectively and independently.

Desired Requirements

Minimum of 4 years of experience as a digital forensic analyst with a focus on mobile devices, computer operating systems (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux), and/or embedded systems (e.g., drones, automobiles, and wearables), and hands-on experience in data acquisition, examination, and reporting. Work experience with IC, Dept. of War, and/or FLE agencies handling DOMEX.

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Digital Forensics, or close related discipline. Higher levels of educate are not required, but preferred.

Certifications in advanced mobile devices and computer forensics from nationally accredited programs (e.g., IACIS, SANS, and CompTIA+).
Ability to participate in periodic, short-term TDYs.

Application instructions

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